Immunologist Svetlana Chulkova has listed unexpected factors that daily undermine the body's defenses. The list of main enemies of immunity includes not only alcohol and smoking, but also extremes in sports, reports infohub.kz.
"Do people really think immunity decreases only when they are sick? That's not quite true," the doctor explains.
The first cause is a diet high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt. According to the doctor, consuming lots of processed foods and carbohydrates not only harms immunity but also leads to weight gain, which reduces the body's resistance to infections.
The second cause is tobacco smoke. It not only irritates the airways but also prevents the exchange of stale air for fresh air during breathing. That's why smokers are more prone to bronchitis, and their cough is familiar to many.
The third cause is alcohol. "Acetaldehyde, the main metabolite of alcohol, is well known. Surprisingly, it disrupts the natural defense against bacteria and viruses. Moreover, alcohol prevents antibodies from attacking and destroying harmful 'invaders'," she explains.
The fourth cause is low physical activity. If you combine a sedentary job with a lazy screen-bound lifestyle, the risk of weakening your immune system is very high. "Research shows that regardless of age, gender, or habits, inactivity is the shortest path to inflammation and other chronic diseases," the immunologist emphasized.
The fifth cause is intense physical exertion. "Yes, yes! It's not just mental health that needs attention. A high volume of intense workouts, to the point of exhaustion, combined with insufficient rest can lead to overtraining. This often results in a weakened immune system and prolonged infections," the doctor explained.
Earlier, Chulkova named the top 5 mistakes in taking vitamin D.